Match safe



Aug. 26 1924. 1,506,319

J. E. NEAHR MATCH SAFE Filed Oct. 5, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J.E.NEAHR Aug. 26 1924.

MATCH SAFE 2 Sheet-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 5,

Patented Aug. 26, 1924.

UNITED STATES JACOB E. NEAHR, OF HARTSDALE, NEW YORK.

MATCH SAFE.

Application filed October 5, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACoB E. NEAHR, a citizen of the United States, residing in Hartsdale, in the county of VVestchester and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match Safes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a combined match-safe and ash-receptacle.

One of the principal aims of the invention is to produce at low cost a solid, compact, durable device for holding matches and affording a striking surface therefor, and for receiving burnt matches, ashes and cigar butts. To this end, there is formed or molded of ceramic, vitreous or other ware, an article comprising two nested members, one of which is an ash-receptacle having an open top, and the other of which is a matchsafe that is integral or molded with the receptacle and set or nested therewithin; the match-safe having one or more side perforations through which may be inserted the tip of a match to scratch it upon igniting material with which the safe is lined. The igniting material or lining is coiled within the match-safe and closes the perforations therein, so as to properly confine the matches, and also so as to expose the friction material upon its outer surface. This provision of the perforations in the match-safe, closable by the interior coil of igniting fabric, makes it practicable to form the match-safe and receptacle of a single piece of molded ware in an inexpensive manner, while producing at low cost an attractive, salable, simple and durable article.

The floor of the match-safe is preferably considerably above the floor of the ash-receptacle, which it is desired to be capacious, and the match-safe is suspended in this nested position by integral means extending from the ash-receptacle, preferably in the form of a bridge crossing the open top of the receptacle and joining the match-safe above the floor of the latter and below the match-striking perforations therein; this bridge being also utilized for cigar rests.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure l is a perspective of the preferred form of the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the same.

Serial No. 505,6352.

Figure 3 is a plan of the match-safe, illus trating the method of inserting therein a coiled igniting strip with its stilf lining.

Figure 4 shows the igniting strip and stifl lining expanded within the match-safe.

Figure 5 shows certain features of the invention adapted to the removable cover of a matchbox or magazine.

Figure 6 shows certain features adapted to a removable ash-tray forming the cover of an ash-receptacle.

Figure 7 shows another form of igniting coil, in the shape of a complete tube of paper, to use as a sleeve upon a complete metal tube, the latter lining the match-safe.

Figure 8 shows the same flattened out.

Figure 9 is a plan of the invention in its preferred form, in which the ash-receptacle is divided, by means of a partition into two chambers, one of which is closed by a lid.

Figure 10 is a sectional elevation of the device seen in Figure 9.

Figure 11 shows a removable cup to insert within the match-safe to hold the igniting material in place, and also to receive the matches.

Figures 12 and 13 are sectional plan and elevation, showing sponge cups.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, in its preferred form the base of the article may comprise a box-like receptacle 10, having a broadened bottom flange 11 for securing steadiness at the match-striking operation; and the article also comprises a match-safe 12, having a top brim 13 and floor 14:; the receptacle 10 and match-safe 12 being illustrated as cylindrical, although other forms may be adopted. The match-safe and the ash-receptacle within which it is nested may be formed in one piece of metal, glass, china or other vitreous ware; the receptacle being open at the top as at 15, and this opening being bridged by a ledge 16 whereby the match safe is suspended abovethe floor of the receptacle; although where the matches are extremely long, the floor of the matchsafe may be lowered accordingly whether or not it reaches the floor 17 of the receptacle. In the ledge 16 may be formed tangential depressions forming cigar-rests 18.

Above the ash-receptacle, the wall of the.

match-safe is mainly cut away, leaving a skeleton portion as at 19 to support the brim 18 of the safe. This arrangement leaves two large apertures 21 in the opposite walls of the safe, away from the ledge 16, through which is exposed a tube or coil 22 of the match-igniting material, which. if desired mayhave a coating 23 of a chemical suitable for use with safety matches. This tube may consist simply of a length of stiff cloth or paper rolled up and inserted in the matchsafe and having sufficient stiffness to withstand the pressure of the match being struck thereon. Preferably there is also used a stiff tubular lining 24, in the nature of a rolled-up strip of steel, brass or other spring, which in its relaxed condition is too large forinsertion intothe safe, but which may be coiled up as at 24 with the strip 22-, Figure 3, to make an undersized coil, which is readily inserted in the mouth 25 of the match-safe, whereupon the spring expands as at Figure 4 to press the igniting strip against the inner wall of the safe, but still remains in compressed condition and affords a firm support for the match-igniting fabric. Owing to the expansion of the coll, t is sure to fit the match-safe, whose inner diameter may vary, especially if made of vitreous or ceramic ware. The ignition strip is preferably reversible or coated with ignition material on both outer and inner sides, this inner facing 26 being protected by the lining 24, which gives a smooth substantially unbroken interior to the match-safe.

After the exposed portion of the ignition tube is worn, it may be rotated to expose a fresh portion thereof. It may also be. withdrawn from the match-safe together with the lining tube 24, and reinserted in the safe, bottom end up, thereby exposing an entirely fresh, surface for use, inasmuch as this operation brings to the top the lower portion of the ignition tube, which stands below the match-striking apertures 21 in the upper part. of the match-safe. hen the ignition coil is entirely worn, it may be taken out and curved in the opposite direction so as to expose on the outer side thereof the surface 26, thus doubling the lifeof the tube. After both inner and outer surfaces are worn, it may be taken out and replaced by a fresh tube. The coil may project a little from the match-safe, as shown at Figure 2, to give a finger-hold when removing the coil.

Thus there 1s produced an inexpensive article, combining in one piece of the described ware a match-safe and ash-tray, and having a simple, inexpensive and readily renewable match-striking surface.

Referring to Figure 7, in place of the igniting coil or device seen at the other figures, there may be employed a complete metal tube; 42, open at top and bottom, and having thereon a sleeve 43 in the form of a tube of; paper or cloth whose edges are stitched, pasted or otherwise joined to gether at 44. This forms a sleeve fitting tightly upon thetube, 42, both being insertable as a unit within the match safe. The tubes 43 may be formed by cutting a long tube up into lengths. These tubes 43 may be flattened out, as at Figure 8, as they are manufactured, so as to economize room in packing and shipping; and they may be readily opened out and slipped over the whole metal tube 42 or over the split tube 24, for insertion into the match-safe.

At Figure 6, the match-safe 27 corresponds substantially with that seen at Figures 1 and 2, the lining 24 being omitted, and the safe being formed integral with a cover 28 for the ash-receptacle 29, and the cover having an annular depression 30 to serve as an ash-tray. The match-safe protrudes below the bottom of the cover, the cover and match-safe being formed in a single piece. The cover has an exterior flange 31 to fit down over the brim 32 of the ash-receptacle to aiford a firm support for the cover at the match-striking operation.

At Figure 5, the invention is shown in connection with the cover 33 for a matchsupply box 34, which may be rectangular between its ends a rectangular match-safe 36. which protrudes below the bottom of the cover, the bottom of the safe being indicated at 37. The brim of the match-safe may be of rectangular form as at 38, and

its opposite sides may be entirely open as at 39, to form. match-striking apertures; the brim being supported by the ends 40 of the safe, and the interior match-igniting strip being given a rectangular shape at 41,'to fit within the match-safe, for purposes already explained.

In the form of the invention seen at Figures 9 and 10, the ash-receptacle is divided, by means of a central partition 55, into two complete chambers 56, 57. This partition runs between the openings 15 inthe top of the receptacle, and extends beneath the ledge 16, and joins the match-safe, beneath which the partition runs, toafford support thereto. One of the openings 15 may be closed by a metal lid 45, which may be hinged at 46 to a metal plate 47, secured upon. the ledgel6 by means of bolts 48, having shanks 49 that project down through the ledge and are retained by nuts 50. It will be seen that the lid may be raised to permit lighted cigarettes to be dropped into the chamber 56 of the receptacle, and that the lid may then be dropped, thereby confining the odor of the burning tobacco. The chamber 56 is sealed from the open compartment 57 by means of the partition 55; and the compartment 57 may remain open for the reception of ashes and burnt matches.

In place of the coiled-up strip 24, shown in lll) comprising a tubular body 51 and a bottom 52. Inasmuch as the diameters of the matchsafes may vary, the cup 51 may be made slightly compressible by providing vertical slits 53 in its opposite sides, extending from the top to the lower portion of the cup. These slits permit the upper portions of the cup sides to spring together if necessary when forcing the device into the match-safe; and, if desired, the cup may flare out towards its upper end, as shown at 5%, Figure 11, to facilitate fitting or forcing it into the match-safe.

The form seen at Figures 12 and 13 is similar to that seen at Figures 1 and 2, except that cups 58 are formed in the ledge 16 below the surface thereof, the bottoms of the cups being seen at 59, Figure 13. These cups may contain sponges 60 which may contain water for quenching the burning cigarettes, which, when quenched may be dropped into the receptacle 10. It will be seen that the match-safe and the sponge cups may form an integral bridge across the ash receptacle 10.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An open-top ash-receptacle formed of molded ware, and having integral therewith a match-safe nested within and rising above the ash-receptacle, and provided at its upper portion with a side perforation in which to insert a match to be struck against an igniting device fitting within the match-safe.

2. A match-safe and ash-receiver formed in one piece, the match-safe nested within the ash-receiver and the ash-receiver having an opening and having an integral portion whereby said match-safe is suspended above the floor of the receptacle interiorly thereof, the safe formed above said portion with an opening in its side and lined with a coil of match-igniting material which closes said opening.

An open-top ash-receptacle formed of molded ware and having integral therewith a matcl1-safe nested therewithin and rising above the top of the ash-receptacle, the floor of the match-safe being above the floor of the ash-receptacle, and integral supporting means rztending from the ash-receptacle to the match-safe, the latter provided at its upper portion with a perforation in which to insert a match to he struck against an ignit ing coil fitting within the match-safe.

-52 An open-top ash-receptacle formed of molded ware and having integral therewith a match-safe nested therewithin and rising above the top of the ash-receptacle, the floor of the match-safe being above the floor of the aslrreceptacle. and integral supporting meme extending from the ash-receptacle to the match-safe, the latter provided at its upper portion with a perforation in which to insert a match to be struck against an igniting coil fitting within the match safe, said supporting means in. the form of a part bridging the open top of the ash-receptacle, and joining the match-safe below said perforation and above the bottom of the match safe.

5. ii match-safe formed of molded Ware, and provided with an integral supporting base, said match-safe having a perforation in its side, a coil of igniting material fitting within the match-safe to close said opening and afford a striking surface for matches, and a tubular resilient strip inserted within said coil to expand it against the interior of the match-safe and support it at the match-striking operation.

6. A match-safe formed of molded ware, and provided with an integral supporting receptacle, said match-safe being nested within the receptacle having a perforation in its side, and a coil of igniting material fitting vithin the match-safe to close said opening and afford a striking surface for matches, safe-supporting means in the form of a ledge crossing from side to side of the receptacle, and said match-safe having openings in its opposite sides away from said ledge.

7. A match-safe form d of molded ware, and provided with an integral supporting base, said match-safe having a perforation in its side, and a coil fitting within the match-safe to close said opening and afford a striking surface for matches, said coil being in the form of a rolled-up strip of igniting material, said coil being withdrawable for reinsertion in a different rotative position to present a fresh igniting surface at the perforation, and being also invertible for a similar purpose; the perforation being at the upper portion of the match-safe.

S. An ash-receptacle formed of molded ware, and having nested therein and integral therewith a match-safe rising above the ashreceptacle, and provided at its upper portion with a side perforation in which to insert a match to be struck against an igniting device fitting within the matc-h-safe; said receptacle having a top provided with two openings, a lid for one of said openings, and a partition running between said openings and dividing said receptacle into two chamhere.

9. A match-safe formed of molded ware, and provided with an integral supporting receptacle within which the match-safe is nested, said match-safe having a perforation in its side, and a coil of igniting material fitting within the match-safe to close said. opening and afford a striking surface for matches, safe-supporting means in the form of a ledge crossing from side to side of the receptacle, and said match-sate having open ings in its opposite sides away from said ledge, said receptacle divided into two chainbers by means of a partition extending be neath said ledge.

10. A combined ash-receptacle and matchsa'fe formed of a single piece of molded Ware, the match-sate being nested Within the receptacle, said receptacle having a partition extending to said match-safe and dividing the r ceptacle into chambers a id the safe having a side perforation through which to strike matches.

11. it match-safe having opei'iings in its sides, a tubular strip of igniting material within the safe and closing said openings, and a match-receiring cup fitting xvi-thin said tubular strip to support the same.

12. A match-sate having openings in its sides, a tubular strip of igniting material Within the safe and closing said openings,

and a match-receiving cup fitting within said tubular strip to support the same, said cup slitted at its upper portion to enable it to yield.

13. A match-safe having openings in its sides, a tubular strip of igniting material Within the safe and closing said openings, and a match-receiving cup fitting within said tubular strip to support the same, said cup slitted at its upper portion to enable it to yield and flaring outwardly from itslower portion to its upper portion.

14. A match-safe lined with amatch-striking fabric and having in its sides apertures top to bottom.

JACOB E. NEAHB. Witnesses CATHERINE A. NEWELL, JENNIE P. THoRNn. 

